OCTOBER 9, 2001

Jordan ready to go to court

THE first hint of the legal battle to come between Jordan Grand Prix and its sacked driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen has come prior to the Japanese Grand Prix, with Jordan apparently ready to go with a defense built around Frentzen's potential to destabilize the team.

"He is a lovely, lovely guy," Jordan has reportedly said. "But at times it seemed he wanted to not only drive the car but design it as well. It caused problems with the engineers and was not good for the team."

Frentzen, who was sacked just days before his home race the German Grand Prix, since found himself at Prost after effectively trading places with Jean Alesi. Despite the obvious disappointment at losing his seat in the works Honda-powered Jordan, Frentzen's stock has risen considerably in his time at Prost and he is believed to be top of Arrows' shopping list for 2002 if the French team cannot retain him.

Jordan has no regrets however, after putting his old friend Alesi in the car for what has been a points-rich finale from the 37-year old Frentzen. Now it seems that Alesi too is on his way out in favor of Japanese youngster Takuma Sato, but Jordan is sure that these bitter pills are essential to Jordan's success. "People thought I was mad sacking Frentzen," he said. "But I know what I am doing. I have won everything in this sport apart from the Formula One constructors' title."